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Eurasian Tree Sparrow



Had to share this with birder friends, since my (mostly non-birding) wife
thinks I'm daffy.

I had to go to Illinois last week, and on my return, decided I'd add the
Eurasian Tree Sparrow to my bird list. This bird was imported to Central Il
in the 1870's, but did not spread like the House Sparrow did when it was
brought to New York.
So the only place in the US to see it is in central IL.
I took the longer southern route back to Asheville, looking to take a side
trip from US 39 to the Meredosia National Wildlife Refuge. On a hunch, I
tried the Banner Marsh State Forest Preserve, and while I was unable to find
the road mentioned in Sheryl De Vore's excellent "Birding Illinois" I tried
the southern entrance and the sparrow was sitting on top of a birdhouse less
than a tenth of a mile in.
Saved six hours of detour!
That's been the progression of this birder. Starting in November, when I got
interested, with going to the monthly birdwalk at Beaver Lake for a hour or
two, to driving six hours to Congaree Swamp to see lots of new birds, to
driving hundreds of miles out of the way on an already overlong trip to see
one new bird.
Some hobby, this birding.

Russ

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Russ Palmeri
Asheville, North Carolina
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Ground-hugging white mist
running from the sudden shower
along the black asphalt street